A secondary school in Hounslow is seeking past students to inspire its current generation.

Heston Community School wants its alumni to pass on their experience to help today's students excel at their studies and in their careers.

It is one of nearly 400 state schools across Britain to have registered with the charity Future First to set up a network of old boys and girls whose talents they can harness.

More than 100,000 former students have signed up to stay connected with their old school and help with mentoring, provide work experience or act as governors, among other roles.

Jenny Bowton, careers coordindator at Heston Community School, said: "A network of past students with all their valuable experience will be vital in helping us to broaden current students' horizons and equip them for the world of work."

The database of alumni could give state school pupils some of the advantages traditionally enjoyed by public school students, who are often said to benefit from an 'old boys' network'.

Alex Shapland-Howes, managing director of Future First, said nearly two fifths of state school students didn't know anyone in a job they would like to do, and having that connection would help motivate them.

Former Heston Community School students can sign up by emailing the school's careers advisor Anne Marie Laing on alaing@hestoncs.org or visiting www.futurefirst.org.uk.